“Wanted a bigger opportunity” – Alexandar Georgiev traded to Colorado Avalanche from Rangers

“Wanted a bigger opportunity” – Alexandar Georgiev traded to Colorado Avalanche from Rangers

Alexandar Georgiev

Bulgarian-born Russian ice hockey goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was traded to the Colorado Avalanche by the New York Rangers on Thursday for a third- and a fifth-round pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft, and a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 26-year-old Georgiev, who can become a restricted free agent on July 13, was 15-10-2 with a 2.92 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and two shutouts in 33 regular-season games (28 starts) this season. He primarily played as backup to Igor Shesterkin, and recorded 0-1 in two Stanley Cup Playoff games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_cs9HnYdoo

“He was excited, and he said that,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said, as quoted by NHL.com. “Obviously when he was a starter he played really well and he wanted a bigger opportunity, and he’s got that opportunity and he’s looking forward to the challenge. What I like about it is that he played in a big market. He was in New York so he can deal with a lot of that stuff. We’re excited about him.”

“Georgiev can be a real good No. 1”

Alexandar Georgiev
Alexandar Georgiev

After picking Georgiev in the trade, Colorado now won’t be re-signing Darcy Kuemper, who will become an unrestricted free agent. The 32-year-old was 37-12-4 with a 2.54 GAA, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 57 regular-season games, and 10-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .902 save percentage in 16 playoff games. The latter played a vital role in helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001.

Also Read | “Appealing to play” – Marc-Andre Fleury signs two years $7 million contract with Minnesota Wild

Sakic added: “We expect something to be done [with a contract] here at some point, before free agency starts, for sure, but hopefully in the next couple of days. Good dialogue.”

“It’ll be [Georgiev] and Pavel Francouz, they’ll be our 1-2. So, we just felt cap-wise, we probably had to do something, and we know he’s a younger goalie. He’s got a lot of upsides. He’s shown that when he is a starter that he can be a real good No. 1.”

Also Read | “He’s playing in our top 6” – Alex DeBrincat traded to Senators by Blackhawks for No. 7 pick in 2022 Draft